1973 New Jersey Senate election
November 6, 1973
All 40 seats in the New Jersey State Senate
21 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Leader J. Edward Crabiel Alfred Beadleston
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Leader's seat 7th (retired) 5th (redistricted)
Last election 16 24 0
Seats before 17 21 0
Seats won 29 10 1
Seat change Increase 12 Decrease 11 Increase 1
Results by district
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold      Republican gain      Independent gain
Senate President before election

Alfred Beadleston
Republican

 Elected Senate President

Frank J. Dodd
Democratic

The 1973 New Jersey State Senate Senate elections were held on November 6. The result of the elections were large gains for the Democratic Party, which won control of the Senate. The party picked up twelve seats.[1] This election marked the first time since 1967 that Democrats controlled the State Senate.

The election coincided with Brendan Byrne's landslide re-election over Republican Charles W. Sandman Jr.[2] The election also took place amidst the height of the Watergate scandal, just weeks after the Saturday Night Massacre.

This was also the first New Jersey Senate election held using single-member districts, as the state completed its long transition following the 1964 Reynolds v. Sims decision. As of 2022, it remains the largest single change in seats for Democrats or any party since single-member districts were adopted. This remains the greatest number of seats held by the Democrats since the adoption of single members districts.

Contents
Incumbents not running • Summary of results
By District: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40

Background

The new 1973 districts after redistricting, the first under the modern New Jersey districting standard.

Redistricting

Until 1965, the New Jersey State Senate was composed of 21 senators, with each county electing one senator. After the U.S. Supreme Court, in Reynolds v. Sims (more commonly known as One Man, One Vote), required redistricting by state legislatures for congressional districts to keep represented populations equal, as well as requiring both houses of state legislatures to have districts drawn that contained roughly equal populations, and to perform redistricting when needed.[3] In 1965, the Senate was increased from 21 members to 29 members, and larger counties were given more than one seat, and some smaller counties shared one or two senators. The map was changed again in 1967, and again in 1971, as the state adjusted to the one man, one vote ruling.

For the first time, the state was to be divided into 40 legislative districts, with each district electing one State Senator and two members of the General Assembly. The districts were drawn first to achieve a population balance (districts were drawn to be within +/- 4% of each other), and then to be as geographically compact as possible.[4]

For the most part, incumbent senators were given their own districts in which to run, with one exception. Senators William J. Bate and Joseph Hirkala, both of Passaic County (District 14), were re-districted into the same district, numbered 34. Bate successfully ran for Assembly rather than challenge Hirkala.

Incumbents not running for re-election

Democratic

Republican

  • Frank Italiano, Camden (District 5)
  • John F. Brown, Ocean (District 9)
  • Peter W. Thomas, Morris (District 24)
  • Harold C. Hollenbeck, Bergen (District 36)
  • Alfred D. Schiaffo, Bergen (District 39)

Two incumbent Republican senators were elected to Congress in 1972 and resigned in January 1973 to take their seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Both seats were won by Democrats:

Summary of results by State Senate District

1972–74 District Incumbent Party New District Elected Senator Party
District 1 James Cafiero Rep 1st Legislative District James Cafiero Rep
District 2 Joseph McGahn Dem 2nd Legislative District Joseph McGahn Dem
District 3A Vacant[lower-alpha 1] 3rd Legislative District Raymond Zane Dem
District 3B Joseph Maressa Dem 4th Legislative District Joseph Maressa Dem
District 3D Frank Italiano Rep 5th Legislative District John Horn Dem
District 3C John L. Miller Rep 6th Legislative District Alene Ammond Dem
District 4C Edward J. Hughes Dem 7th Legislative District Edward J. Hughes Dem
District 4B Barry T. Parker Rep 8th Legislative District Barry T. Parker Rep
District 4A John F. Brown Rep 9th Legislative District John F. Russo Dem
District 5 Richard Stout Rep 10th Legislative District Herbert Buehler Dem
Alfred Beadleston Rep 11th Legislative District Alfred Beadleston Rep
Joseph Azzolina Rep 12th Legislative District Eugene Bedell Dem
District 6B Joseph P. Merlino Dem 13th Legislative District Joseph P. Merlino Dem
District 6A William Schluter Rep 14th Legislative District Anne Clark Martindell Dem
District 15 Wayne Dumont Jr. Rep 15th Legislative District Wayne Dumont Jr. Rep
District 8 Raymond Bateman Rep 16th Legislative District Raymond Bateman Rep
District 7 John A. Lynch Sr. Dem 17th Legislative District John A. Lynch Sr. Dem
J. Edward Crabiel Dem 18th Legislative District Bernard Dwyer Dem
Norman Tanzman Dem 19th Legislative District John Fay Dem
District 9 Frank X. McDermott Rep 20th Legislative District Alexander J. Menza Dem
Thomas G. Dunn[lower-alpha 2] Dem 21st Legislative District Thomas G. Dunn Dem
Jerome Epstein Rep 22nd Legislative District Peter J. McDonough Rep
District 10 Vacant[lower-alpha 3] 23rd Legislative District Stephen B. Wiley Dem
Peter W. Thomas Rep 24th Legislative District James P. Vreeland Rep
District 11 James H. Wallwork Rep 25th Legislative District James H. Wallwork Rep
Frank J. Dodd Dem 26th Legislative District Frank J. Dodd Dem
Michael Giuliano Rep 27th Legislative District Carmen Orechio Dem
Ralph DeRose Dem 28th Legislative District Martin L. Greenberg Dem
Wynona Lipman Dem 29th Legislative District Wynona Lipman Dem
N/A 30th Legislative District Anthony Imperiale Ind
District 12 James P. Dugan Dem 31st Legislative District James P. Dugan Dem
William F. Kelly Jr. Dem 32nd Legislative District Joseph W. Tumulty Dem
William Musto Dem 33rd Legislative District William Musto Dem
District 14 Joseph Hirkala Dem 34th Legislative District Joseph Hirkala Dem
William J. Bate Dem
Joseph Lazzara Dem 35th Legislative District Frank Davenport Rep
District 13 Harold Hollenbeck Rep 36th Legislative District Anthony Scardino Dem
Joseph Woodcock Rep 37th Legislative District Matthew Feldman Dem
Frederick Wendel Rep 38th Legislative District John Skevin Dem
Alfred Schiaffo Rep 39th Legislative District Raymond Garramone Dem
Garrett Hagedorn Rep 40th Legislative District Garrett Hagedorn Rep
  1. ↑ Senator James M. Turner was forced to resign from his seat on June 28 after his conviction for a conspiracy to place drugs in the home of Democrat Kenneth A. Gewertz. He remained in the race.
  2. ↑ Dunn entered the Senate on January 9 to fill the vacancy left by the election of Congressman Matthew Rinaldo.
  3. ↑ The Morris County seat had been vacant since Joseph Maraziti was sworn into Congress in January 1973. Wiley ran for and won a simultaneous special election to complete Maraziti's term.

Close races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:

  1. District 35, 0.28%
  2. District 14, 3.06%
  3. District 22, 4.64%
  4. District 24, 5.24%
  5. District 38, 5.29%
  6. District 8, 5.64%
  7. District 23, 6.12%
  8. District 27, 6.18%
  9. District 6, 6.32%
  10. District 11, 8.10%
  11. District 25, 8.48%
  12. District 39, 8.58%
  13. District 9, 9.06%
  14. District 15, 9.98%

Incumbents defeated

In primary elections

Republicans

One incumbent Republican Senator was defeated for renomination in the June primary and Republicans held that seat:[5]

  • District 22: Jerome Epstein (R-Union), succeeded by Republican Peter J. McDonough, an Assemblyman from Union County. McDonough won 60%-40% over the incumbent, who was facing an indictment.[6]

In general elections

Democrats

  • District 35: Joseph Lazzara (D-Passaic) lost to Republican Frank Davenport, the Passaic County Sheriff.

Republicans

Open seats

Democratic gains

  • District 5: Frank Italiano (R-Camden), succeeded by Democrat John Horn, the Assembly Minority Leader, from Camden County.
  • District 9: John F. Brown (R-Ocean), succeeded by Democrat John F. Russo, a former Ocean County Prosecutor.
  • District 36: Harold Hollenbeck (R-Bergen), succeeded by Democrat Anthony Scardino, the Mayor of Lyndhurst.
  • District 39: Alfred Schiaffo (R-Bergen), succeeded by Raymond Garramone, the Mayor of Haworth.

Independent gain

  • District 30: William Bate (D-Passaic), succeeded by Independent Anthony Imperiale, an Assemblyman from Essex County. (Bate was redistricted into District 34, where Democrat Joseph Hirkala lived; instead of challenging Hirkala in the primary, he instead ran successfully for the State Assembly.)

Democratic holds

  • District 18: J. Edward Crabiel (D-Middlesex), who briefly sought the 1973 Democratic nomination for Governor, succeeded by Democrat Bernard Dwyer, the Mayor of Edison.
  • District 19: Norman Tanzman (D-Middlesex), succeeded by Democrat John Fay, an Assemblyman from Middlesex County.
  • District 28: Ralph DeRose (D-Essex), who lost to Brendan Byrne in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, succeeded by Democrat Martin L. Greenberg, who was Byrne's law partner.
  • District 32: William F. Kelly, Jr. (D-Hudson), succeeded by Democrat Joseph W. Tumulty.

Republican hold

  • District 24: Peter W. Thomas (R-Morris), succeeded by Republican James P. Vreeland, an Assemblyman from Morris County.

District 1

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James S. Cafiero 15,580 100.00%
Total votes 15,580 100.00%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William R. Bowen 3,774 100.00%
Total votes 3,774 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Results

1st Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James S. Cafiero (incumbent) 34,807 58.26%
Democratic William E. Bowen 24,933 41.74%
Total votes 59,740 100.00%

District 2

This district consisted of most of Atlantic County, as well as Little Egg Harbor Township, Tuckerton, and rural parts of Burlington County within the Pine Barrens.

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Irving Lilienfeld 12,832 60.23%
Republican F. Frederick Perone 8,474 39.77%
Total votes 21,306 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph McGahn (incumbent) 3,498 50.36%
Democratic Michael J. Matthews 3,448 49.64%
Total votes 6,946 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Both candidates supported a statewide referendum on legalized gambling. Lilienfeld and his running mates supported a statewide coordinated mass transit program, while the Democratic ticket supported a county-wide transportation program. The Republicans also emphasized crackdowns on welfare fraud and stricter drug control, while the Democrats campaigned to attract more light industry to the region.[8]

Results

2nd Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph McGahn (incumbent) 32,043 55.09%
Republican Irving A. Lilienfeld 26,120 44.91%
Total votes 58,163 100.00%

District 3

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Robert E. Boakes, Woodbury attorney and former municipal judge[10]
  • Walter Fish, Gloucester County Sheriff (write-in)
  • James M. Turner, incumbent Senator (until June 28)
Declined

Campaign

Turner was removed from his seat on June 28 after his conviction for conspiracy to place 6,500 amphetamine tablets in the home of Kenneth A. Gewertz, the Democratic Assemblyman from the district. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

The conviction barred Turner from holding state office. Nevertheless, Turner remained in the race, saying "I intend to win, and I expect the Senate to seat me."[12][13]

Because it was too late to remove Turner from the ballot, an appeal was made to remove him, which a judge denied. The Republican Party attempted to run a write-in campaign for Gloucester Sheriff Walter Fish instead.

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Turner (incumbent) 5,545 41.07%
Republican Walter E. Fish Jr. (write-in) 4,678 34.65%
Republican Robert E. Boakes 3,277 24.27%
Total votes 13,500 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Zane 6,834 100.00%
Total votes 6,834 100.00%

General election

Results

3rd Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Zane 34,266 79.94%
Republican James Turner (incumbent) 8,598 20.06%
Total votes 42,864 100.00%

District 4

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas E. Jenkins 5,173 100.00%
Total votes 5,173 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Joseph A. Maressa, incumbent Senator
  • Robert W. Yost, Gloucester Township registrar of deeds[11]

Yost was backed by Angelo Errichetti and Jack Gasparre, the mayor of Cherry Hill.[11]

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph A. Maressa (incumbent) 7,533 69.12%
Democratic Robert W. Yost 3,366 30.88%
Total votes 10,899 100.00%

General election

Results

4th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph A. Maressa 31,729 63.79%
Republican Thomas E. Jenkins 18,012 36.21%
Total votes 49,741 100.00%

District 5

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined
  • Frank Italiano, incumbent Senator[11]

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard C. Hardenbergh 4,794 100.00%
Total votes 4,794 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Horn 6,680 100.00%
Total votes 6,680 100.00%

General election

5th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Horn 25,999 65.20%
Republican Richard C. Hardenberg 13,509 33.88%
Socialist Labor Dominic W. Doganiero 369 0.93%
Total votes 39,877 100.00%

District 6

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John L. Miller (incumbent) 10,857 100.00%
Total votes 10,857 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Alene Ammond, candidate for Cherry Hill City Council in 1967[14]
  • John P. Jehl, Voorhees attorney and former assistant Camden County prosecutor[14]

The Democratic primary was part of a countywide power struggle between party chair James Joyce and Cherry Hill party leader Jack Gasparre, who was also backed by Angelo Errichetti, the leader of the Camden Democratic organization and the mayor-elect. The camps were also divided in their choices for Governor; Gasparre and Errichetti backed Brendan Byrne, while Joyce backed Ralph DeRose.[14] As a corollary to their fight over control of the party, Gasparre backed a separate slate of legislative candidates in this and other districts. Although the sixth district was heavily Republican, it was considered crucial because it centered on Cherry Hill, and Gasparre considered it his home base.[14] To counter Gasparre's ticket, Joyce recruited Alene Ammond, a political gadfly who had run an unsuccessful campaign for Cherry Hill council in 1967 and whose proposal to reorganize the Cherry Hill government was rejected by voters in 1972.[14]

Ammond campaigned against Jehl as a puppet of Errichetti, whom she charged with bossism and corruption; the Gasparre ticket made the same accusations of Joyce.[14] All candidates indicated varying opposition to a static income tax; Ammond and Jehl disagreed on casino gambling, with Jehl supporting its legalization in some areas if approved by voters and Ammond outright opposing its legalization.[14] Ammond also came out in support of a deepwater oil port, despite Ralph DeRose's vote against it.[14]

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alene Ammond 4,361 53.07%
Democratic John P. Jehl 3,857 46.93%
Total votes 8,218 100.00%

General election

Although the district was considered safely Republican after the Republican majority was increased to 8,600 votes by redistricting,[11] Ammond won an upset over Senator Miller.

6th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alene Ammond 27,320 53.16%
Republican John L. Miller (incumbent) 24,072 46.84%
Total votes 51,392 100.00%

District 7

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Walter L. Smith Jr. 7,544 100.00%
Total votes 7,544 100.00%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward J. Hughes Jr. (incumbent) 6,420 100.00%
Total votes 6,420 100.00%

General election

Candidates

This race was a rematch of the 1971 contest between Hughes and Smith;[11] Hughes won by an increased majority despite redistricting making the district more Republican and Smith resolving divisions within the party which had doomed him in 1971.[11]

7th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Edward J. Hughes Jr. (incumbent) 26,863 57.88%
Republican Walter L. Smith Jr. 19,317 41.62%
Socialist Labor Bernardo S. Doganiero 231 0.50%
Total votes 46,411

District 8

This district consisted of rural and suburban parts of Burlington County and eastern Mercer County, as well as Allentown, Roosevelt, and Upper Freehold Township in Monmouth County and Lakehurst and Manchester Township in Ocean County.[8]

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barry T. Parker (incumbent) 8,058 100.00%
Total votes 8,058 100.00%

Democratic primary

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Salvatore DiDonato 5,168 100.00%
Total votes 5,168 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

DiDonato attacked Parker for his alleged support for special interest groups, particularly those involving workers' compensation issues. Parker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pledged "complete honesty and integrity in government."[8]

Results

8th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Barry T. Parker (incumbent) 23,422 52.82%
Democratic Salvatoro L. DiDonato 20,923 47.18%
Total votes 44,345 100.00%

District 9

This district consisted of most of Ocean County, except for Little Egg Harbor, Tuckerton, and Manchester. It also took in Woodland Township in Burlington County and Millstone in Monmouth County. The largest towns in the district were Toms River and Lakewood.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John F. Brown 14,896 100.00%
Total votes 14,896 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Russo 4,259 61.00%
Democratic Mark E. Egan 1,295 18.55%
Democratic Wesley K. Bell 1,070 15.33%
Democratic Gaetano J. Alaimo 358 5.13%
Total votes 6,982 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Tax reform was the overriding issue in the race. Mabie and his Republican running mates opposed an income tax and advocated using state lottery revenue and the $200 million budget surplus to fund public education. This plan was predicated on passage of federal legislation absorbing state welfare costs.[8]

Results

9th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John F. Russo 38,388 54.53%
Republican Benjamin H. Mabie 32,010 45.47%
Total votes 70,398 100.00%

District 10

This Monmouth County district consisted of Wall Township and a series of shore towns: Monmouth Beach, Long Branch, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, Interlaken, Ocean Township, Asbury Park, Neptune, Neptune City, Bradley Beach, Avon, Belmar, South Belmar, Spring Lake, Spring Lake Heights, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Brielle, Point Pleasant, and Point Pleasant Beach.

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard R. Stout 10,248 100.00%
Total votes 10,248 100.00%

Democratic primary

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herbert J. Buehler 5,038 100.00%
Total votes 5,038 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Buehler focused his attacks on Stout's transportation record, charging that he failed to attract state and federal grants to solve the region's railroad issues. Stout maintained that he and other Republicans had attempted to do so, but were obstructed by the bankruptcy of the Penn Central Railroad.[8] Stout also backed Republican gubernatorial nominee Charles W. Sandman's proposal for a mass transit agency, while Buehler backed his party's candidate, Brendan Byrne, by proposing that the Port Authority should assume responsibility for electrifying the New York and Long Branch Railroad.[8]

The district was considered a Republican stronghold; Stout had been in office for 22 years. However, Buehler hoped to benefit from the popularity of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brendan Byrne in the district.[8]

Results

10th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herbert J. Buehler 29,819 55.11%
Republican Richard R. Stout (incumbent) 24,294 44.89%
Total votes 54,113 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing {{{swing}}}

District 11

This district was located entirely within Monmouth County. It included the municipalities of Atlantic Higlands, Colts Neck, Eatontown, Englishtown, Fair Haven, Farmingdale, Freehold, Freehold Township, Hazlet Township, Highlands, Holmdel, Howell Township, Little Silver, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township, New Shrewsbury, Oceanport, Rumson, Sea Bright, Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury Township, and West Long Branch.[8]

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alfred N. Beadleston 6,845 100.00%
Total votes 6,845 100.00%

Democratic primary

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Dietz 5,288 100.00%
Total votes 5,288 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Campaign

Beadleston took a low-profile approach to his campaign. Dietz, who ran an individual campaign separate from his Assembly running mates, challened Beadleston to debates but was ignored or rejected. At one point, Dietz challenged Beadleston to a debate while Beadleston was serving as acting Governor.[8]

Both candidates opposed a state income tax and supported cuts to welfare spending. They differed on how to reduce welfare spending, with Beadleston supporting a state takeover and Dietz supporting a federal takeover.[8]

Results

11th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alfred N. Beadleston (incumbent) 27,718 54.05%
Democratic H. Joseph Dietz 23,564 45.95%
Total votes 51,282 100.00%

District 12

This district was composed of the northern Monmouth County and southeastern Middlesex County. It included the Monmouth municipalities of Red Bank, Keansburg, Union Beach, Keyport, Matawan, Middletown Township and the Middlesex municipalities of Jamesburg, Madison Township (renamed Old Bridge in 1975), and Monroe Township.[8]

Madison, Monroe, and Middletown were the largest and most politically significant municipalities.[8]

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Azzolina (incumbent) 4,863 100.00%
Total votes 4,863 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Eugene J. Bedell, incumbent Assemblyman

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene J. Bedell 6,165 100.00%
Total votes 6,165 100.00%

General election

Candidates

Peter P. Garibaldi, an incumbent Republican Assemblyman, entered the race after the Middlesex Republican Party denied him their nomination.[8]

Campaign

This race featured three men who would serve in the Senate at some point: the incumbent Joseph Azzolina, the victor Eugene Bedell, and future Senator Peter P. Garibaldi.[8] Though Garibaldi was a Republican, his campaign was expected to draw liberal Democratic voters away from Bedell.[8]

One of the key issues in the campaign was the potential construction of a deepwater port. Azzolina was opposed to a port in the district; Bedell initially favored it before softening his stance. Bedell's Assembly running mates opposed a port until it could be deemed safe.[8] Garibaldi received the highest score from the New Jersey Environmental Voters Alliance.[8]

Results

12th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eugene J. Bedell 29,193 58.80%
Republican Joseph Azzolina (incumbent) 17,492 35.23%
United Ind. Peter P. Garibaldi 2,967 5.98%
Total votes 49,652 100.00%
Democratic gain from Republican Swing {{{swing}}}

District 13

Republican primary

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patrick J. Wilder 2,668 100.00%
Total votes 2,668 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph P. Merlino 7,988 100.00%
Total votes 7,988 100.00%

General election

13th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph P. Merlino (incumbent) 34,826 74.45%
Republican Patrick J. Wilder 11,953 25.55%
Total votes 46,779 100.00%

District 14

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Schluter (incumbent) 9,350 100.00%
Total votes 9,350 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anne Clark Martindell 7,346 100.00%
Total votes 7,346 100.00%

General election

14th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anne Clark Martindell 29,512 51.53%
Republican William Schluter (incumbent) 27,755 48.47%
Total votes 57,267 100.00%

District 15

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne Dumont Jr. (incumbent) 10,827 100.00%
Total votes 10,827 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin F. Murphy 5,883 100.00%
Total votes 5,883 100.00%

General election

15th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne Dumont Jr. 29,861 54.99%
Democratic Martin F. Murphy 24,445 45.01%
Total votes 54,306 100.00%

District 16

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Raymond Bateman (incumbent) 11,969 100.00%
Total votes 11,969 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Herbert Koransky

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herbert Koransky 3,927 100.00%
Total votes 3,927 100.00%

General election

16th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Raymond Bateman (incumbent) 34,153 63.98%
Democratic Herbert Koransky 19,230 36.02%
Total votes 53,383 100.00%

District 17

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Robert K. Harlig Jr.

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert K. Harling Jr. 3,239 100.00%
Total votes 3,239 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • John Lynch, incumbent Senator since 1956 (District 7)

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Lynch (incumbent) 6,133 100.00%
Total votes 6,133 100.00%

General election

17th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Lynch (incumbent) 30,912 70.69%
Republican Dominic R. Ciardi 12,434 28.44%
American John Giammarco 381 0.87%
Total votes 43,727 100.00%

District 18

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Fuller H. Brooks

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fuller H. Brooks 4,149 100.00%
Total votes 4,149 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer 9,470 100.00%
Total votes 9,470 100.00%

General election

18th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bernard J. Dwyer 36,606 63.22%
Republican Fuller H. Brooks 21,301 36.78%
Total votes 57,907 100.00%

District 19

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Matthew E. Hawke

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Matthew E. Hawke 1,785 100.00%
Total votes 1,785 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Fay Jr. 8,509 100.00%
Total votes 8,509 100.00%

General election

19th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John J. Fay Jr. 38,496 78.55%
Republican Matthew H. Hawke 10,511 21.45%
Total votes 49,007 100.00%

District 20

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Francis X. McDermott (incumbent) 8,450 100.00%
Total votes 8,450 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alexander Menza 6,654 100.00%
Total votes 6,654 100.00%

General election

20th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alexander J. Menza 34,040 56.33%
Republican Francis X. McDermott (incumbent) 26,084 43.16%
Individualist Oscar B. Johannsen 305 0.50%
Total votes 60,429 100.00%

District 21

Republican primary

Candidates

  • William G. Palermo Jr.

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William G. Palermo Jr. 2,505 100.00%
Total votes 2,505 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas G. Dunn 9,478 100.00%
Total votes 9,478 100.00%

General election

21st Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Thomas G. Dunn 26,138 62.72%
Republican William G. Palermo Jr. 14,396 34.55%
Independent Anthony Carbone 1,137 2.73%
Total votes 41,671 100.00%

District 22

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter McDonough 7,214 60.37%
Republican Jerome Epstein (incumbent) 4,735 39.63%
Total votes 11,949 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • William Wright Jr.

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Wright Jr. 5,962 100.00%
Total votes 5,962 100.00%

General election

22nd Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter J. McDonough 27,827 52.32%
Democratic William Wright Jr. 25,361 47.68%
Total votes 53,188 100.00%

District 23

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Josephine Margetts 9,702 60.37%
Republican Joseph F. Warganz 3,062 39.63%
Total votes 12,764 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen B. Wiley 6,910 100.00%
Total votes 6,910 100.00%

General election

23rd Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen B. Wiley 27,303 53.06%
Republican Josephine Margetts 24,157 46.94%
Total votes 51,460 100.00%

District 24

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Peter W. Thomas, incumbent Senator (District 10)

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Peter W. Thomas (incumbent) 10,550 100.00%
Total votes 10,550 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • John C. Keefe

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John C. Keefe 5,212 100.00%
Total votes 5,212 100.00%

General election

24th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James P. Vreeland Jr. 26,004 52.62%
Democratic John C. Keefe 23,417 47.38%
Total votes 49,421 100.00%

District 25

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Wallwork (incumbent) 10,727 100.00%
Total votes 10,727 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Donald S. Coburn
  • Joel Wasserman

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joel Wasserman 4,144 62.59%
Democratic Donald S. Coburn 2,477 37.41%
Total votes 6,621 100.00%

General election

25th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican James Wallwork (incumbent) 30,552 54.24%
Democratic Joel Wasserman 25,778 45.76%
Total votes 56,330 100.00%

District 26

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Salvatore Beninanti

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Salvatore Beninanti 3,380 100.00%
Total votes 3,380 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank J. Dodd (incumbent) 14,513 83.63%
Democratic Joseph A. Lazaro 2,841 16.37%
Total votes 17,354 100.00%

General election

26th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank J. Dodd (incumbent) 33,223 75.11%
Republican Salvatore J. Beninati 11,012 24.89%
Total votes 44,235 100.00%

District 27

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Michael A. Giuliano, incumbent Senator (District 11)

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael A. Giuliano 8,565 100.00%
Total votes 8,565 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carmen Orechio 8,039 100.00%
Total votes 8,039 100.00%

General election

27th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carmen Orechio 29,878 53.09%
Republican Michael A. Giuliano 26,395 46.91%
Total votes 56,273 100.00%

District 28

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Joseph Galluzzi

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Galluzzi 3,160 100.00%
Total votes 3,160 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined
  • Ralph DeRose, incumbent Senator (District 11) (running for Governor)

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin L. Greenberg 7,432 100.00%
Total votes 7,432 100.00%

General election

28th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Martin L. Greenberg 22,290 60.31%
Republican Joseph P. Galluzzi 13,601 36.80%
American Chris Marciano 1,070 2.89%
Total votes 36,961 100.00%

District 29

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Lillie Simpson

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lillie Simpson 613 100.00%
Total votes 613 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wynona Lipman (incumbent) 7,360 100.00%
Total votes 7,360 100.00%

General election

29th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Wynona Lipman (incumbent) 16,071 83.84%
Republican Lillie Simpson 3,098 16.16%
Total votes 19,169 100.00%

District 30

Republican primary

Candidates

  • C. Richard Fiore, incumbent Assemblyman from Newark

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican C. Richard Fiore 2,641 100.00%
Total votes 2,641 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

The campaign pitted the Hudson County Democratic Organization, which supported Castano, against the Essex County Organization, which supported Senatore.

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gregory J. Castano 9,231 54.01%
Democratic Mary V. Senatore 7,859 45.99%
Total votes 17,090 100.00%

General election

30th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
For The People Anthony Imperiale 24,756 49.34%
Democratic Gregory J. Castano 18,286 36.45%
Republican C. Richard Fiore 7,131 14.21%
Total votes 50,173

District 31

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Franco Di Domenica
  • Henry W. Kolakowski

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry W. Kolakowski 1,304 86.19%
Republican Franco Di Domenica 209 13.81%
Total votes 1,513 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James P. Dugan (incumbent) 14,659 100.00%
Total votes 14,659 100.00%

General election

31st Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James P. Dugan (incumbent) 36,921 79.46%
Republican Henry W. Kolakowski 9,543 20.54%
Total votes 46,464 100.00%

District 32

Republican primary

Candidates

  • John P. Errico

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John P. Errico 1,876 100.00%
Total votes 1,876 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined
  • William F. Kelly Jr., incumbent Senator (District 12) since 1958

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph W. Tumulty 16,691 67.09%
Democratic Michael J. Bell 8,187 32.91%
Total votes 24,878 100.00%

General election

32nd Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph W. Tumulty 35,770 74.72%
Republican John P. Errico 10,955 22.88%
Abolish County Govt. Robert Habermann 1,146 2.39%
Total votes 47,871 100.00%

District 33

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Thomas McSherry

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas McSherry 1,823 100.00%
Total votes 1,823 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William V. Musto (incumbent) 16,156 66.46%
Democratic Harry J. Leber 8,152 33.54%
Total votes 24,308 100.00%

General election

33rd Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William V. Musto 30,176 78.04%
Republican Thomas McSherry 8,492 21.96%
Total votes 38,668 100.00%

District 34

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Louise Friedman

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Louise Friedman 5,605 100.00%
Total votes 5,605 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declined

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Hirkala (incumbent) 5,605 100.00%
Total votes 5,605 100.00%

General election

34th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph Hirkala 33,047 63.88%
Republican Louise Friedman 18,682 36.12%
Total votes 51,729 100.00%

District 35

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Dominic Cuccinello
  • Michael U. DeVita, former mayor of Paterson (1948–51)
  • Joseph A. Lazzara, incumbent Senator (District 14)
  • Roy Leon Ward

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Joseph A. Lazzara (incumbent) 4,211 56.39%
Democratic Michael U. DeVita 2,643 35.39%
Democratic Dominic Cuccinello 358 4.79%
Democratic Roy Leon Ward 256 3.43%
Total votes 7,468 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Frank Davenport, Passaic County Sheriff

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank Davenport 3,272 100.00%
Total votes 3,272 100.00%

General election

35th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frank Davenport 16,919 50.14%
Democratic Joseph A. Lazzara (incumbent) 16,826 49.86%
Total votes 33,745 100.00%

District 36

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Harold A. Pareti
Declined

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Anthony Scardino Jr. 6,279 100.00%
Total votes 6,279 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony Scardino 5,695 100.00%
Total votes 5,695 100.00%

General election

36th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Anthony Scardino 35,953 62.01%
Republican Harold A. Pareti 21,332 36.79%
Socialist Labor Kenneth Kowalczyk 698 1.20%
Total votes 57,983 100.00%

District 37

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Woodcock (incumbent) 6,572 100.00%
Total votes 6,572 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Feldman 9,320 100.00%
Total votes 9,320 100.00%

General election

37th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matthew Feldman 36,690 58.62%
Republican Joseph Woodcock (incumbent) 25,524 40.78%
Socialist Labor Armand Milletari 373 0.60%
Total votes 62,587 100.00%

District 38

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Frederick E. Wendel, incumbent Senator (District 13)

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Frederick Wendel (incumbent) 6,554 100.00%
Total votes 6,554 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • John Skevin, former Assemblyman (1966–68)
  • Joseph Ventricelli

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Skevin 4,808 81.07%
Democratic Joseph Ventricelli 1,123 18.93%
Total votes 5,931 100.00%

General election

38th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John M. Skevin 31,677 57.61%
Republican Frederick E. Wendel 23,307 42.39%
Total votes 54,984 100.00%

District 39

Republican primary

Candidates

  • Harry Randall Jr.

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harry Randall Jr. 6,474 100.00%
Total votes 6,474 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Garramone 4,937 100.00%
Total votes 4,937 100.00%

General election

39th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Raymond Garramone 31,999 54.29%
Republican Harry Randall Jr. 26,942 45.71%
Total votes 58,941 100.00%

District 40

Republican primary

Candidates

Results

Republican primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Garrett W. Hagedorn (incumbent) 9,324 100.00%
Total votes 9,324 100.00%

Democratic primary

Candidates

  • Paul Z. Lewis

Results

Democratic primary[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Z. Lewis 6,811 100.00%
Total votes 6,811 100.00%

General election

40th Legislative District[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Garrett W. Hagedorn 32,566 56.19%
Democratic Robert A. Pennachio 25,394 43.81%
Total votes 57,960 100.00%

Leadership

Democrats chose Frank J. Dodd as the Senate President and Matthew Feldman as Majority Leader; Republicans named the outgoing Senate President, Alfred Beadleston as Minority Leader.[17]

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 "Results of the General Election held November 6, 1973" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. State of New Jersey.
    2. ↑ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
    3. ↑ "JERSEY ORDERED TO REAPPORTION; Judge Finds Congressional Districts Unconstitutional". New York Times. May 21, 1965.
    4. ↑ Sullivan, Ronald (March 9, 1973). "JERSEY APPROVES DISTRICTING PLAN; Reapportions State Senate and Assembly Seats for this Year's Elections Jersey Panel Approves a Plan To Redistrict Legislative Seats Jersey Panel Approves a Plan To Redistrict Legislative Seats". New York Times.
    5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 "Results of the Primary Election held June 5, 1973" (PDF). New Jersey Division of Elections. State of New Jersey.
    6. ↑ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved December 3, 2014.
    7. ↑ "Bridgeton Housing Chief Seeks Democratic Nod for Senator". Vineland Daily Journal. April 20, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
    8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 "Area Legislative Contests". Asbury Park Press. November 4, 1973. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
    9. ↑ "DeStefano Holds Off Committee Challenge". Vineland Daily Journal. June 6, 1972. p. 2. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
    10. ↑ "Boakes Given Post as Sandman Aide". Press of Atlantic City. September 28, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
    11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Culnan, Dennis M. (March 10, 1973). "2 Legislators Face Trouble Due to Remap". Courier-Post. p. 24. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
    12. ↑ Waggoner, Walter H. (June 29, 1973). "Turner Convicted In Drug Conspiracy". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
    13. ↑ Sullivan, Joseph F. (October 7, 1973). "Legislative Candidates Fighting Apathy". The New York Times. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
    14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Democrats Fighting to Run in Cahill's Home District". The Courier-Post. May 26, 1973. p. 23. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
    15. 1 2 "Russo Wins Backing of Dover Club". Asbury Park Press. May 18, 1973. p. 37. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
    16. ↑ "Murphy Launches State Senate Drive". The Paterson News. West Milford. July 24, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
    17. ↑ Fitzgerald's New Jersey Legislative Manual. Joseph J. Gribbons. 1974.
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